How to play Three Card Poker

How to Play Three Card Poker

Three Card Poker rules are fairly straightforward and easy to understand. Each game consists of two independent bets called PAIR PLUS and ANTE/PLAY. You may play either or both in any amount as long as you do not go over the house limits. In essence, 3 Card Poker is two games in one. To get a better understanding of this take a look at the Three Card Poker table layout below:

Pair Plus
You will notice at the top of the 3 Card Poker table layout there is a Pair Plus circle. When you place a bet on Pair Plus you are basically betting against your own hand. If the hand you are dealt contains a pair or better you win. In many regards it is just like a slot machine. You put your money down, wait for the cards to be dealt and get paid according to a fixed pay schedule. For example, a Straight Flush pays 40 to 1 while Three of a Kind pays 30 to 1 all the way down to a Pair which pays 1 to 1. See the chart below for the complete pay table.

Ante and Play
Ante and Play (or Bet as it is called in the Three Card Poker table layout above) is unlike Pair Plus in that you are actually competing against the dealer's hand. To play you place your bet on the Ante circle which is your "fee" for getting dealt three cards. After viewing your hand, you must decide if you want to Fold (and lose your Ante) or Call (place another bet on the Play circle that equals your Ante and see the dealer's hand.) If you Call, your hand is now compared to the dealer's hand. The dealer must have a Queen or better to qualify. Here are the possible outcomes:

1. Dealer does not qualify: Ante wins 1 to 1, play bet is returned.
2. Dealer qualifies and player beats dealer: Both Play and Ante win 1 to 1
3. Dealer qualifies and dealer beats player: Both Play and Ante lose.
4. Dealer qualifies and dealer ties player: Both Play and Ante push.

In addition, the Ante bet has an extra bonus that does not depend on the dealer's hand. (Much like the Pair Plus bet.) If you make the Ante and Play wager you can still win the bonus payout even if the dealer does not qualify and even if your hand loses to the dealer. You can see the complete pay table for the Ante Bonus on the chart above.

To get the hang of Three Card Poker rules, I recommend going to one of the casinos below and playing for free. It's a great way to practice and get a feel for the game.

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